3303.41
Governor's council on people with disabilities.

(A)
There
is hereby created the governor's council on people with disabilities. The
council shall consist of twenty-one members of which the majority shall be
people with disabilities as defined in this section, appointed by the governor
for a term of three years except that for initial appointments, seven members
shall be appointed for a term of one year, seven members shall be appointed for
a term of two years, and seven members shall be appointed for a term of three
years. Members may succeed themselves not more than one time.
A member shall continue in office subsequent to the
expiration of the member's term until the member's successor takes
office. The governor shall
appoint a chairperson to serve a two-year term. The chairperson shall
not succeed himself or herself as chairperson.
The chairperson shall continue in office subsequent to
the expiration of the chairperson's term until the chairperson's successor
takes office. Members of the council shall serve without compensation,
but shall be paid the actual and necessary expenses they incur in the
performance of their duties.

(B)
The
council shall meet at least six times annually at such times and places as may
be designated by the chairperson.

(C)
The
executive director
of the opportunities for Ohioans with disabilities agency
shall
provide the council with both of the following:

(1)
One professional staff person
to serve as executive
secretary of the council;

(2)
Any meeting space, office furniture, and equipment
that are necessary for the council to fulfill its duties.

(1)
To cooperate
with the president's committee on employment of the handicapped;

(2)
To cooperate
with all employers both public and private in locating or developing employment
opportunities for people with disabilities;

(3)
To encourage and
assist in the creation of committees at the community level;

(4)
To assist local,
state, and federal agencies to coordinate their activities for the purpose of
securing maximum utilization of funds and efforts that benefit people with
disabilities;

(5)
To encourage
cooperation among public and private employers, unions, and rehabilitation
agencies, bureaus, and organizations both public and private with a specific
goal to facilitate employment of people with disabilities;

(6)
To serve in an
advisory capacity to the governor's office directly and as needed to the
general assembly on issues relating to the needs, problems, and other concerns
of people with disabilities;

(7)
To conduct
educational programs to acquaint the public with the abilities and
accomplishments of people with disabilities;

(8)
To promote the
elimination of architectural barriers to make buildings used by the public
accessible and useable by persons with physical limitations;

(9)
To make such
rules as it determines advisable for the conduct of its own business.

(E)
The
council shall annually report to the governor on council activities and on the
state of the people of this state with disabilities. This report may include
any recommendations believed necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes
of this section.

(F)
As used
in this section, "person with a disability" means any individual who has a
disability or condition that, regardless of its physical or mental origin,
imposes a functional limitation.

(G)
It
shall be lawful for any public employee or officer to serve as a member of the
council.